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Overview

Indigenous Studies Research/Projects courses are similar to most project courses: they are student-initiated courses that are based on a contracted study arrangement worked out between an individual student (or group of students), an approved project supervisor and Athabasca University. They are advanced courses, intended for students who have completed the foundation courses.

Outline

The research project may involve any combination of library or field research, as agreed to by the student and the research project supervisor in a “learning contract” between the student and Athabasca University. The learning contract states what is to be done in the research project, how and when it will be done, how it will evaluated, and how many credits will be awarded (each research project course is a three credit course). Although the University may provide some help, students are expected to obtain and pay for all the materials used in their research project. Students may enroll at any time during the year, but before enrolling, must submit an acceptable “research/project proposal” to the course coordinator. The research/project proposal is, in effect, the first stage in the preparation of a learning contract and the location of a suitable supervisor.

Evaluation

In Indigenous Studies Research/Projects, a learning contract is a written agreement, jointly prepared by a student or student and a research/project supervisor, that states the learning objectives, activities to be undertaken, timelines, and criteria for evaluating the research/project proposed. A Course Guide containing a more detailed course description and examples of learning contracts is sent to students after the research/project proposal is accepted.

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.